Facial exerciser

ABSTRACT

The present invention recognizes that there exists a need for facial exerciser devices and methods of use. The present invention generally pertains to facial exerciser devices and methods of use thereof to address this need. A first aspect of the present invention is a facial exerciser device. A second aspect of the present invention is a facial exerciser device with detachable portions.

The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/939,122, filed on Feb. 12, 2014, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a facial exerciser tool to be used toexercise and strengthen the facial, neck, and forehead muscles of theuser.

BACKGROUND

Many people are concerned with the signs of aging and spend largeamounts of money on products purporting to retain or return the youthfulappearance of a person's face or skin. Some even resort to cosmeticsurgery or injecting chemicals into the skin of their face and neck inan attempt to look more youthful. These options are extremely invasive,expensive, and in some cases dangerous. A contributing factor to signsof aging such as facial lines and wrinkles is the lack of muscle tone ina person's face and neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B depict but one aspect of the present invention, inparticular FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of the facial exerciser of thepresent invention (100 and 110) displayed against the gums (202 and 204)teeth (208), and dentition of a user (200); in particular FIG. 1Bdepicts one embodiment of the upper portion of the present invention(100) and one embodiment of the lower portion of the facial exerciser ofthe present invention (110) engaged with the dentition of a user (200).

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2 depict but one aspect of the present invention, inparticular FIG. 2A depicts one embodiment of the upper portion of thefacial exerciser of the present invention (100) engaged with the upperportion of a users teeth (208) and upper gum line (202); in particularFIG. 2B depicts one embodiment of the lower portion of the facialexerciser of the present invention (110) engaged with the upper portionof a users teeth (208) and lower gum line (204).

FIG. 3 depicts but one aspect of the present invention, in particularone embodiment of the upper portion of the facial exerciser of thepresent invention (100) inserted between the upper lip (220), the uppergum line (202), and teeth (208), one embodiment of the facial exerciserof the lower portion of the present invention (110) inserted between thelower lip (240), the lower gum line (204), and teeth (208).

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B depicts but one aspect of the present invention, inparticular FIG. 4A depicts one embodiment of the upper portion of thefacial exerciser of the present invention (100) inserted between theupper lip (220) and the upper gum line (202), where the upper lip (220)contracts backwards against the facial exerciser (100) displacing itbackwards (Inward Arrows). FIG. 4B depicts one embodiment of the upperportion of the facial exerciser of the present invention (100) insertedbetween the upper lip (220) and the upper gum line (202), where theupper lip (220) contracts forward against the facial exerciser (100)displacing it forward (Outward Arrows).

FIG. 5 depicts but one aspect of the present invention, in particularone embodiment of the facial exerciser (100) containing at least onefluid with an empty space bubble (102) to allow displacement of the atleast one fluid.

SUMMARY

The present invention recognizes that there exists a need for facialexerciser devices and methods of use. The present invention generallypertains to facial exerciser devices and methods of use thereof toaddress this need.

A first aspect of the present invention is a facial exerciser device.

A second aspect of the present invention is a facial exerciser devicewith detachable portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Generally, the nomenclatureused herein and described below are well known and commonly employed inthe art. Conventional methods are used for these procedures, such asthose provided in the art and various general references. Where a termis provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplate the pluralof that term. The nomenclature used herein and the laboratory proceduresdescribed below are those well known and commonly employed in the art.

Other technical terms used herein have their ordinary meaning in the artthat they are used, as exemplified by, but not limited to, a variety oftechnical dictionaries.

Introduction and Detailed Description

The present invention recognizes that there exists a need for facialexercisers and methods of use.

As a non-limiting introduction to the breath of the present invention,the present invention includes several general and useful aspects,including:

1) a facial exerciser device; and

2) a facial exerciser device with detachable portions.

These aspects of the invention, as well as others described herein, canbe achieved by using the methods, articles of manufacture andcompositions of matter described herein. To gain a full appreciation ofthe scope of the present invention, it will be further recognized thatvarious aspects of the present invention can be combined to makedesirable embodiments of the invention.

I. A Facial Exerciser Device

The present invention includes a facial exerciser device, including: a)at least one upper piece; and b) at least one lower piece; wherein theupper piece and the lower piece are operably linked to provideresistance to a user's facial, cheeks, chin, under the chin and neck,and forehead muscles when engaged with the user's gums, teeth, cheeks,or a combination thereof.

In addition, the facial exerciser device includes: i) a first portionconfigured to be positioned between the user's upper gums and teeth, andcheeks, and ii) a second portion configured to be positioned between theuser's lower gums and teeth, and cheeks.

In one aspect of the present invention, the first portion is configuredto fit between the user's upper gums and teeth, and the second portionconfigured to be positioned between the user's lower gums and teeth.Portions of the exerciser device can be relatively narrower orrelatively thicker as compared to the other portions so as to fitcomfortably and effectively while in use with a subject. Preferably, theportion of the exerciser device spanning the upper and lower gums andteeth of the user has a smaller diameter relative to the portion of theexerciser device spanning the upper and lower cheeks of the user.

Preferably, the portion of the exerciser device spanning the upper andlower gums and teeth of the user has a diameter of between about 1 andabout 127 millimeters, more preferably about 2 and about 100millimeters, more preferably between about 3 and about 90 millimeters,more preferably about 4 and about 80 millimeters, more preferablybetween about 5 and about 70 millimeters.

More preferably, the portion of the exerciser device spanning the upperand lower gums and teeth of the user has a diameter of between about 13and about 51 millimeters. Preferably, the portion of the exerciserdevice spanning the upper and lower cheeks of the user has a diameter ofbetween about 1 and about 127 millimeters, more preferably between about2 and about 100 millimeters, more preferably between 3 and about 90millimeters, more preferably between about 4 and about 80 millimeters,more preferably between about 5 and about 70 millimeters. Morepreferably, the portion of the exerciser device spanning the upper andlower cheeks of the user has a diameter between about 51 and about 100millimeters.

Furthermore, at least a portion of the at least one upper piece, the atleast one lower piece, or a combination thereof, is substantiallyhollow, substantially solid, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the at least one upper piece,the at least one lower piece, or a combination thereof, includes atleast one material including: at least one liquid, at least one gel, atleast one gas, or a combination thereof.

In addition, at least a portion of the at least one upper piece, the atleast one lower piece, or a combination thereof, includes a flexiblematerial, a resilient material, a resistant material, a cushioningmaterial, a fluid material, or a combination thereof.

In the present invention, the flexible material, the resilient material,the resistant material, the cushioning material, the fluid material, ora combination thereof, include but are not limited to at least oneliquid, at least one fluid, at least one gel, at least one hydrogel, atleast one solid, at least one semi-solid, or a combination thereof.

II. A Facial Exerciser Device with Detachable Portions

The present invention includes a facial exerciser device, including: a)at least one upper piece; and b) at least one lower piece, wherein theat least one upper piece and the at least one lower piece are detachableor substantially detachable from each other.

In one aspect of the present invention, the at least one upper piece andat least one lower piece, of the exerciser device are detachable orsubstantially detachable from each other by including at least oneattachment mechanism, including but not limited to: at least onemagnetic connection point, at least one Velcro, at least one snappingjoint, at least one ball-hinge joint, at least one hook joint, or acombination thereof.

In addition, the at least one upper piece and the at least one lowerpiece can be used individually or together.

EXAMPLES

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is afacial exerciser, which helps to strengthen facial, neck, and foreheadmuscles. Exercising the face and neck using the exerciser may help totighten muscles to reduce the signs of aging, as well as providetherapeutic effects such as reducing headaches, teeth grinding, andneck, shoulder, and back pains.

The facial exerciser works to provide resistance to the movement of theuser's facial features. One embodiment of the invention is configured tobe placed inside the user's mouth to provide resistance while the userexercises his/her facial muscles by exerting force against the facialexerciser. Repetitive exercising motion with resistance provided by theexerciser may increase blood flow and help to develop the user's facialmuscles such as the oribicularis oris, depressor anguli oris,zygomaticus, caninus, frontalis, and masseter; all muscles whichcontribute to the appearance of a user's face and skin. Preferredembodiments are configured to be placed in the user's mouth in betweenthe user's gums and the cheek.

The facial exerciser may be composed of a liquid-filled plastic and/orrubbery deformable device forming a sac-like flexible pouch. The outerpouch material may be formed from a non-toxic, durable, and flexiblematerial such as non-toxic plastic or rubber. The inner liquid may be aninert substance that is non-toxic to the user, such as water or cornsyrup. The outer pouch material may be sufficiently flexible to allowthe user to exert repetitive force on the pouch in order to displace theposition of the liquid back and forth, creating an exercising motion forthe muscles being used to create the movement. In a preferredembodiment, the present invention may include two separate exerciserdevices: a first device configured to be placed in the user's mouthbetween the user's upper teeth and gums and the user's cheek, and asecond device configured for placement along the user's lower gums andteeth in a similar fashion.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the facial exerciser device of thepresent invention, which includes two portions, one for the upper gumsand teeth (100) and one for the lower gums and teeth (110). Other thanbeing configured to fit comfortably between the user's gums (202 and204) and cheek, the two separation portions are substantially similarand are used in the same or similar fashion. The facial exerciser devicecan be curved to fit the shape of the user's mouth (200). Each portionof the device can include a securing tab (Not Shown) configured to bebitten and held by the user while the facial exerciser device ispositioned in between the user's gums and the user's cheek. The securingtab may be made of the same material as the outer pouch material and aidin securing the device in place. FIG. 18 illustrates the two portions ofthe one embodiment of the facial exerciser device of FIG. 1A configuredto fit a users gums (202 and 204), teeth (208) and cheeks.

FIG. 2A illustrates the maxillary (upper) showing the user's teeth (208)and upper gums (202) engaged with the one embodiment of the upperportion of the facial exerciser (100).

FIG. 2B illustrates the mandibular (lower) jaw showing the user's teeth(208) and lower gums (204) engaged with the one embodiment of the lowerportion of the facial exerciser (110).

FIG. 3 shows the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) jaw showingthe user's teeth (208), cheek (220 and 240), and the exercise device(100 and 110) positioned therebetween. The exercise device is configuredto be placed comfortably between the user's teeth and cheek, and havevarying shapes to accommodate the space between the gums (202 and 204)and the cheeks. Once the exercise device is securely and comfortably inplace, the user exerts force on the device by squeezing the devicebetween the cheeks and the teeth and gums. The resilient material of thedevice and the material optionally contained therein provide sufficientresistance against the squeezing force to exercise the muscles in theuser's face, cheeks, and neck.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show the exercise device (100) during two phases ofuse. In FIG. 4A the user is exerting force with the front portion of theuser's mouth, including the user's lips, denoted by the arrows pointinginward at the front portion of the mouth, and exerting substantiallysimultaneous or simultaneous force with the cheeks, denoted by thearrows pointing outward at the side portion of the mouth. This forcecauses the front portion of the exercise device (100) to be compressed,forcing the inner material such as a liquid and device into the rearpositions of the exercise device. The force required to displace theliquid to the rear of the exercise device provides exercise for themuscles in the user's lips, cheek (220), face, and neck.

FIG. 4B shows another phase of the device (100) in use. The user isexerting force with the user's cheek (220) on the rear portion of theexercise device (100), denoted by the arrows pointing inward at the rearof the user's teeth, and exerting simultaneous force with the user'slips, denoted by the arrows pointing outwards at the front portion ofthe mouth. This causes the rear portion of the exercise device to becompressed, forcing the inner material such as a liquid and deviceforward into the front portion of the exercise device. Preferably theouter pouch material is sufficiently resilient and expandable toaccommodate changes in the volume of the inner liquid at various pointsalong the exercise device. The force required to cause displacement ofthe liquid to a more forward position provides sufficient resistance toexercise the muscles in the user's cheek, face, and neck.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show only two phases of use of the exercise device.However, it will be understood that the user is able to exert inwardpressure on the exercise device along the entire length of the exercisedevice, as denoted by the inward and outward point arrows show in FIG.4A and FIG. 4B. This provides exercise for all muscles surrounding theuser's mouth and cheek, in addition to the muscles in the user's faceand neck. To allow for displacement of the liquid while providingsufficient resistance, a liquid solution or substance with relativelyhigher viscosity may be used. Different embodiments may use differentinterior liquids or different materials for the outer pouch in order tocreate varying resistance levels as desired by the user.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the present invention, which includes anempty space (102) in the inner materials such as a liquid contained bythe outer pouch. The empty bubble can aid in displacing the liquid fromthe rear portion to the front, or vice versa, when the user is exertingforce upon the outer pouch. The air bubble can shift position and/orbecome compressed and allow the liquid to move more freely within thepouch when squeezing pressure is applied to compress a certain portionof the exercise device (100). In some embodiments, the size of the airbubble may vary to provide varying degrees of resistance for the user.

The outer pouch can be designed in a variety of designs such ashorseshoe or oval to accommodate proper contouring and fit between thecheek and the gums of the user. The cosmetic design of the outer pouchcan be transparent, semi-transparent or translucent, or a variety ofcolors or print designs. Additionally, the inner liquid may be coloredusing a non-toxic coloring substance such as food coloring. The liquidmay be an inert substance composed of substances that are used by humanson a daily basis such as corn syrup, water, and/or other consumable andsafely digestible liquids. This prevents any issues in case the materialrips, bursts, or breaks, or is accidentally pierced during use. In allpreferred embodiments, the liquid is preferably non-toxic if consumed.The exercise device may be configured in varying sizes to accommodateusers with different sized mouths or jaws, and may vary from extra smallto extra large. The exercise device may strengthen facial, neck, andforehead muscles. The exercise device may also have therapeutic effectssuch as reducing headaches, teeth grinding, and neck and back pains aswell as preventing or reducing wrinkles and facial frown and smilelines.

Although the invention has been described using specific terms, devices,and/or methods, such description is for illustrative purposes of thepreferred embodiment(s) only. Changes may be made to the preferredembodiment(s) by those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in thefollowing claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects ofthe preferred embodiment(s) generally may be interchanged in whole or inpart.

All publications, including patent documents and scientific articles,referred to in this application and the bibliography and attachments areincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the sameextent as if each individual publication were individually incorporatedby reference.

All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not beused to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unlessso specified.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facial exerciser device, comprising: a. atleast one upper piece; and b. at least one lower piece, wherein saidupper piece and said lower piece are operably linked to provideresistance to a user's facial, cheeks, chin, under the chin and neck,and forehead muscles when engaged with the user's gums, teeth, cheeks,or a combination thereof.
 2. The facial exerciser device of claim 1,wherein said facial exerciser device comprises: i. a first portionconfigured to be positioned between the user's upper gums and teeth, andcheeks, and ii. a second portion configured to be positioned between theuser's lower gums and teeth, and cheeks.
 3. The facial exerciser deviceof claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said at least one upper piece,said at least one lower piece, or a combination thereof, issubstantially hollow, substantially solid, or a combination thereof. 4.The facial exerciser device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofsaid at least one upper piece, said at least one lower piece, or acombination thereof, comprises at least one material comprising: atleast one liquid, at least one gel, at least one gas, or a combinationthereof.
 5. The facial exerciser device of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of said at least one upper piece, said at least one lower piece,or a combination thereof, comprises a flexible material, a resilientmaterial, a resistant material, a cushioning material, a fluid material,or a combination thereof.
 6. A facial exerciser device, comprising: a.at least one upper piece; and b. at least one lower piece, wherein saidat least one upper piece and said at least one lower piece aredetachable or substantially detachable from each other.
 7. The facialexerciser device of claim 6, wherein said at least one upper piece andsaid at least one lower piece can be used individually or together.